Gateside thieves in court
Cupar Sheriff Court.
THE north east Fife village recently named as the friendliest in the UK had its reputation tarnished when two people appeared in court charged with stealing garden machinery from their neighbours.
The items were taken from a garden shed and a garage in Gateside and later appeared for sale on Gumtree, Cupar Sheriff Court heard.
Joseph Gilmartin (22), of 40 Bower Park, Gateside, and Stephen Gilmartin (16), now of 23 The Riggs, Auchtermuchty, appeared before Sheriff John Halley.
Stephen Gilmartin had earlier admitted stealing a lawnmower at 6 Old Town, Gateside, between May 12 and May 16 this year, and Joseph Gilmartin had admitted breaking into a garage owned by Brian Smith at Marley Cottage, Old Town, between May 20 and 21 and stealing a strimmer and a chainsaw.
The court heard that the lawnmower was worth £200 and the strimmer and chainsaw were worth £290. None of the items were recovered. The offences came to light when they were advertised on Gumtree and the accused gave their phone numbers.
Solicitor Katrina Clark told the court that Joseph Gilmartin, a father of three, was unemployed and struggling financially.
Stephen Gilmartin was also short of money and it had been an ‘opportunistic’ crime.
Sheriff Halley ordered Joseph Gilmartin to pay £290 in compensation and Stephen Gilmartin to pay £200 compensation.
He deferred sentence until January 17 for good behaviour.
Gateside recently won the accolade of ‘The UK’s Friendliest Street’ in a competition run by Tesco Magazine and its residents were praised for their community spirit.
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Sunday 26 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
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